I LOVE this mug! I laughed out loud when I found it. I love this sense of humor.
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I received the sketching book I ordered and am finding it very interesting. It is written by a very talented artist, Kimiko Sekimoto. Her approach is to show you how to sketch on the go, in various situations. How to dress so you have all the supplies you need, what exactly to put in your pockets or carry bags, and more. She gives tips on how to draw a chair, for example – something that will really help me, since I am perspective-challenged.
This is her style, where she has a running record of where she went, what she ate, who she met, and more, with wonderful illustrations.
I will do a lot of studying of this book. My juices are flowing!!!
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I should have a nice, quiet day today, where I hope to paint a sketch, work on my puzzle, start a new book, and reach out to some friends.
I hope that your day or evening brings you lots of hugs and smiles.
“I love March as it gives me hope that new beginnings are always beautiful.” ― Anamika Mishra
I had a glorious massage this morning and am feeling WONDERFUL right now! I am drinking a glass of water now because I read – “you should drink water after a massage to rehydrate muscles, aid in flushing out metabolic waste released during the session, and reduce potential soreness or headaches. Massage acts similarly to exercise by increasing circulation and, when dehydrated, lymph can become sluggish. Aim for 8-16 ounces shortly after, continuing throughout the day.” Ahhhhhhh!
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Vecteezy
We will go to the cafe this afternoon where I’ll sketch, read, and hopefully watch traffic if I get my favorite spot there. The cafe staff welcome you to stay as long as you like. I get an iced mocha and Brian gets an iced chocolate drink. Later on, if they can, we have them make us a lemonade. My favorite spot is a wonderful place to relax and sketch. I lose track of time as I sit comfortably, concentrating on trying to draw what I’m looking at. I usually do several sketches, then switch to reading on my Kindle, and then finally just sitting there watching the traffic whiz past – or watch as the cars, buses and trucks sit clogged up, while the motorcycles, motor scooters, bicycles and pedestrians, wind their way in and out between them. Simply amazing!
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The people at our chocolate place have gotten koi fish! This picture is awful, but I wanted to share the fact that the fish were very busily swimming around as we left.
“March brings breezes loud and shrill, stirs the dancing daffodil.” ― Sara Coleridge
I love this photo. It’s artistic, like the best of paintings as well as beautiful photos.
In Arkansas we knew spring had sprung when our daffodils sprang up. We had them all around our well house, plus dotted around in our planters, plus some clumps of them in different places in our front yard. I loved it when they bloomed, making our yard smile.
There was one ‘bouquet’ in particular that I looked forward to. One of my good friends, Debbye, died of recurrent breast cancer. At her funeral, there was a humongous bucket at the door of the church filled with daffodil bulbs. We were encouraged to grab a whole double handful and plant them in memory of Debbye. I did this, in a space in the front yard between the house and the beginning of the woods that surrounded the house. Every year they bloomed profusely, growing in numbers, the bouquet widening. I thought it was a fabulous way to remember a very special lady.
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I’m beginning to think that there exists a group of people I call ‘malicious puzzlers’ who exist to confound and frustrate people trying to put together puzzles. Among these are
the people responsible for leaving out one or more pieces of the puzzle, so you get all the way to the end and are unable to ever really finish the puzzle.
the people who carelessly pack the puzzle pieces so they are damaged, bent, or completely broken off so those pieces must be fitted at the very end of the puzzle building, still leaving holes or rough places in the finished puzzle.
I’m beginning to think there are people who delight in throwing in extra pieces that LOOK like they fit everywhere, but actually fit NOWHERE…
Can you tell I’m feeling a bit of frustration that my current puzzle featuring a truly handsome turtle is giving me fits? It’s making me doubt my ability to put puzzles together anymore. I work and work and only manage to fit a few pieces before I give up and go do something else. ARRRRGH! 😖
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We met my husband and his nurse at the hospital this morning to meet with his main doctor for routine blood work and an exam. The big picture was that the doctor was pleased and Harvey was alert and reacting to what was said to him. We got the meds we needed to buy from the hospital and the paperwork we needed in order to have the agency lady help us get his medical visa renewed for another 90 days.
The smaller picture made me feel like I was on a tilt-a-whirl, where you’re moving at breakneck speed in one direction and then are whirled around and jerked into the opposite direction over and over. He didn’t know who I was half the time. He called me, “Momma,” and he called Brian, “Bill.” Other times he knew who we were, but was saying things that made no sense like the trick they did this morning in the ambulance that allowed them to time travel. I was kissing his head and telling him I loved him, and he said, “I want my wife. She should be here.” I asked him what his wife’s name was. He said, “Linda.” I said, “I’m Linda. I’m your wife and I love you with all my heart.” He answered, “Where is my wife?” I also reminded him that in June we will have been married for 57 years. He looked at me and said, “It’s not long enough.”
Brian and I stopped for chocolate drinks on the way home. Brian knew I was upset. I told him the “Brian and chocolate are the cures for everything.”
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I’m going to dive into painting a sketch this afternoon. I hope you are also diving into something fun today.
This is my latest painted sketch. I also sketched some new thank you cards for Khun Nong yesterday. I’ll share them when they are painted.
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Nation Thailand
Brian and I actually caught a glimpse of the blood moon this morning on our way to the gym. What a glorious sight! Usually, I would get all excited about one of these spectacular events when we lived in the States, and then our weather was cloudy, rainy, or some other problem interfered. This was stunningly beautiful. It was just above the trees and we stopped for a minute or two to simply enjoy.
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I had my windows open this morning and Brian texted me, telling me that the air was unhealthy today. I checked my Chiang Mai Air Pollution Real-Time website and the reading was 120, well into the unhealthy range. I closed everything up and turned on the air filters. It doesn’t look bad outside, but I will monitor things more carefully to try to make sure my lungs are not affected. The ‘hot and hazy’ season lasts from March through April in Chiang Mai.
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When we visited my husband at the nursing home yesterday, we saw the tree outside his window sporting THESE! A nice bunch of Thai bananas. The Thai bananas are small and shorter than the ones in the States, but they taste so much better! The ones in the states can be prettier when you see them in the stores, but they may be essentially tasteless. These are full of sweet flavor. I just love them. My husband will share in a nice treat soon!
Also on the way to the nursing home I saw a man walking across the street with two large transparent bags full of several beautiful kinds of salad stuff. Lot of different types of lettuce. He was walking toward one of the food stores, so my assumption is that he will sell his harvest of the day to the food store, which will provide beautiful produce for their customers. No middle men. Just goodness changing hands.
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I wish you a fun-filled day.
“In March winter is holding back and spring is pulling forward. Something holds and something pulls inside of us too.” ― Jean Hersey
Brian has been teaching me about Thai money. Both the paper money and the coins are clearly marked, once you know what to look for – particularly on the coins.
The paper money is all different colors, making it easy to see what you have quickly. It comes in denominations of 20, 50, 100, and 500 baht. (Maybe more, but I haven’t seen any higher.)
The coins are a bit harder when you need glasses to see things up close. 🤓 They come in demonations of 1, 5, and 10 baht most commonly.
After Brian’s kind lesson, I can tell which is what on the coins. My biggest problem at this point is having to use the calculator on my phone when I’m in a place like the 7-11 buying several things, making sure I have enough money to pay at the register, plus figuring out how much money I’m really spending (comparing baht to U.S. dollars) There are roughly 35 baht to a dollar, so again I’m using my calculator to figure out how much something costs.
One thing I really like about Thailand is that you aren’t faced with trying to figure out sales tax at the checkout. The price shown is the price you pay. Period. I know that money has to come from somewhere for roads and city projects, etc., but I haven’t figured that out yet.
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Today I sketched out 4 more thank you cards for my housekeeper, Khun Nong. I try to stay ahead so I always have one to include with her pay each week. I’m simply thrilled to have her, and I want to make sure that she knows how much I appreciate what she does for me. (The one above is the one for Friday)
I also started painting a rabbit today. I’ll probably finish him up tomorrow.
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We visited my husband, Harvey, at the nursing home this morning. He was calm, comfortable, and was being well taken care of. He was glad to see us, though he called me, “Momma,” when I went in, wanting me to put his socks on him. He made almost no sense today, announcing that he had killed one of his “abductors” today, and that he had 7 or 8 wives now, but couldn’t remember the exact number…
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Make this a wonderful day and evening.
“Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!’” ― Robin Williams
I absolutely LOVE this painting. It’s calming, mesmerising. I want to take a walk in there, find a spot to sit, and simply breathe…
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My husband, Harvey’s, nurse sent a video to Brian this morning showing Harvey up and in a wheelchair in the community room! The nurses were playing music and obviously trying to get the people to clap in time to the music. Harvey was actually trying to do it, even though I have NEVER seen him do ANYTHING in time to music before. Amazing and encouraging. 🙏🏻🎶
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This is my newest painted sketch.
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Brian texted me this morning, asking me to go through a Thai used bookstore list and see if there were any books I wanted him to order for me. I found two Nora Roberts books I didn’t remember, a book all about Thailand, and a book about sketching.
He could order all of them except the sketching book, but went on Amazon, found it, and ordered it! I can’t wait to dive into it!
My son is spoiling me terribly. Soon I will be completely insufferable…
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I hope Mother Nature is starting to smile at least in your direction now. I think everyone has had more than enough winter now and think that spring weather, planting, and outside activities should be starting. Hopefully, she’ll get the memo we sent soon!
“March is a tomboy with tousled hair, a mischievous smile, mud on her shoes, and a laugh in her voice.” ― Hal Borland
“March bustles in on windy feet and sweeps my doorstep and my street.” ― Susan Reiner
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It is strange to be welcoming March and Spring from Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai has three main seasons: a cool, dry season (Nov–Feb) perfect for tourism; a hot season (March–May) with high temperatures and air pollution; and a rainy “green” season (June–Oct).
The Old Farmer’s Almanac
When I lived in the States in Arkansas, March meant a long-awaited Spring. It could snow up to and including my birthday on the 9th, but then a glorious time of warmer weather followed with my itchiness to plant new flowers in my planters to go with the perennial ones, and getting my raised-bed, square foot garden started.
Taipei Times
March here in Chiang Mai starts a season of HOT and accompanying air pollution from Thailand and surrounding countries burning crop residue in preparation for planting. The sun becomes very intense and a lot of people use an umbrella to avoid sunburn, which you can get pretty quickly this time of year. When Brian and I are out walking, we take care to stay in the shade as much as possible.
Right now, before the season gets in full swing, I’m enjoying having my windows open, a beautiful cool breeze coming through with bright sunshine. It’s 78 degrees F. as I type, and it’s supposed to get to 91 this afternoon. When it starts to warm up significantly, I’ll close up, turn my air filters back on, and probably start the a/c.
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FirstCry
I have just started painting one of my sketches this morning. It’s celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. It will go up on the “Happy Wall” in my husband’s room in the nursing home at the proper time. I’ll post a picture of it, probably tomorrow, and then the painting will go on my shelf under some books to flatten it until it’s time to take it.
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Have a wonderful start to a new month!
“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.” ― Charles Dickens
I love the optimism in this. Whether it’s true or not, or whether or not you achieve what you’re striving for, it’s the STRIVING and ATTITUDE that are important. Don’t give up on yourself or stop reaching for more.
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This was what awaited me when I returned from sharing dinner with Brian last night. Khun Nong not only left my place spotless, she brought flowers and left this arrangement for me to enjoy. I have never had a housekeeper before. It just wasn’t affordable in our home in Arkansas. I’m beginning to think I may never be able to talk about my housekeeper without being in awe about the whole thing. What a beautiful luxury. AND I won the lottery on housekeepers. When I say “spotless,” that includes washing the windows inside and out, baseboards, floors, kitchen and bath, lining up all my stuff more neatly than I ever leave it…. AND she brings me flowers.
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“Watercolor Dreams” by R. G. Ryan – Book 1 of the Jake Moriarity Series
Brian and I went to visit my husband, Harvey, at the nursing home today. When we walked into his room, he was reading! He didn’t want to talk to us because he wanted to finish the book!!! This is my voracious reader husband acting ‘normal’ for the first time since last April when he had his stroke. We sat and propped up the book a bit for him while he finished the book. Then he asked if there was another one in the series. We have now ordered the 2nd book, “Finding Wonderland” by R.G. Ryan, for him.
He was calm and comfortable, so that was good, as well. He told us he had gotten married (AGAIN!) since we saw him Tuesday. This was a different woman than the one he was going to marry Tuesday. He said he married her, but this was a different one. Couldn’t remember her name…
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everymum
After I finish writing posts for the blog today, I plan to do some painting, plus work on my puzzle. Pretty nice day
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Some of you have another day of February left, but we in Thailand are bidding February adieu here today. I’m hoping that spring is coming to the states very soon now. If I were there, I would be planning my spring raised-bed, square foot veggie garden now, plus deciding what I would add to our planters all around the house for the spring and summer. I hope you do it for me, if you enjoy doing that…
“Walk Around the Lake” – Wallace Stevens-Patrick Visser – Substack
I love this painting. I want to GO here….
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Quora
I just returned from a WONDERFUL massage. Ahhhhhhhh! All my sore spots, kinks, and tension are gone, thanks to Khun Weaw, my massage therapist. She knows just how much to do without hurting me. I can fully relax. Such a gift.
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Freepik
I continue my day of being totally spoiled rotten here by going to the cafe this afternoon while my housekeeper, Khun Nong, makes my place sparkle. I have the sheets changed, the trash collected and taken out, fresh towels up, money and thank you card waiting.
I am looking forward to doing some sketching this afternoon. The sleepy rabbit yesterday was my last sketch in my book, so I need to get my pencil hot today and see what I can do. I’m also in the middle of J.D. Robb’s “Stolen In Death” book on my Kindle, so I’ll read a bit of that, as well. Fingers crossed I have my seat by the window so I can be amazed, once again, that the traffic, which looks completely chaotic to me, flows so well with everyone knowing what they’re doing. I think the thing that amazes me the most is all the motorcycles and motor scooters zipping in and around the vehicles at what looks like break neck speed.
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Delish
Do any of you remember the old Wendy’s Hamburgers commercials in the states years ago? They featured people trying to eat a hamburger, taking a bite of the incredibly thick, juicy burger, then putting it down while they used yet another napkin from a thick pile to clean up their faces, then did it all over and over again.
That’s the way Brian and I are on the mornings we eat a breakfast burrito. It’s scrambled eggs, bacon and salad wrapped up in a tortilla. It is absolutely delicious, but it’s one of those things, like corn on the cob, where you really shouldn’t eat it in public. You take a bite, and – if you’re lucky – get maybe one more bite before it starts to leak badly all over your hands. Each bite gets ‘stuff’ all over your face. I end up putting mine down and using my knife and fork to finish it. Brian, being a do-or-die sort, finishes his, then goes and practically takes a shower in the spray thingie in his kitchen sink…
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Seattle Green Cleaning Fairy
I’m going to enjoy another hour of glorious breezes here with my windows open before closing up and turning on the air filters again. The air pollution chart says ‘moderate,’ but I want things to be really comfortable for Khun Nong while she’s cleaning. I’ll close up and turn on the a/c.
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Enjoy your day or evening. I hope you’re smiling and sharing that smile with someone else. They’re contagious, you know… 😁
The world is a serious place these days with awful things happening to good people. We care what is going on, but we can feel swamped by negative feelings if we aren’t careful. Being curious, learning, expanding our world instead of allowing it to implode gradually, and PLAYING – seeing the humor in situations, the fun to be had each and every day, will not only allow us to survive, but thrive. What will you do that will bring a smile to your face today?
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This is my latest painted sketch.
I’m having a gloriously quiet day today. I’ve been painting, plus reading a bit, and now writing blog posts. I’m lucky I have so many fun things to do and not enough time to get everything I want to IN!
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House Digest
I had my windows open this morning. The temperature is now 81 degrees and it’s pretty windy. It’s cloudy, as well. I opened all the windows and gloried in the beautiful breeze for quite awhile. Since the ‘hazy season’ seems to be on its way, I’m keeping an eye on the Chiang Mail Air Pollution Real-Time Monitor so I close up and turn on the air filters in my place before I have any problems. (The haze is caused by farmers here and in neighboring countries burning the crop residue to clear their fields for the coming planting season.)
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Adobe Stock
I will start looking for images I can draw for a picture for my husband for St. Patrick’s Day. He seems to enjoy it when I bring these, and the nursing home is very kind in letting me put them up on the wall so he can see them, that I will try to plaster his wall with love every chance I get.
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The Today Show
I hope those of you getting snow and ice are able to stay warm and dry and safe. I keep sending messages to Mother Nature, but I think she has her hands over her ears.
I love this philosophy of life. We are all caterpillars, trying to make our way, figure out who we are, crawling, then putting one foot in front of the other doing the best we can with what we have at the time, hoping for the best. If we’re lucky, we emerge knowing who we truly are, what is important, what we want to shed, and what we want to keep as we prepare to fly.
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An exciting thing happened today. I received my very first piece of mail in my mailbox since I moved here the 1st of April! They have recently redone the whole mailbox thing in our building, making boxes that spring open when you touch them. I’ve checked mine every day, just because there is that small bit of anticipation that something MIGHT be there. Today there was a card from a dear friend from the states. It was mailed on Feb. 9th and didn’t get here until this morning, Feb 24th, but it got here!
He had painted this to honor the Chinese New Year, “The Year of the Horse.” It is up on my wall beside my computer now so that I can enjoy it daily.
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Brian and I visited my husband, Harvey, at the nursing home this morning. He was happy to see us, and greeted me with “Hi, Babe,” – music to my ears. Things deteriorated from there, I’m afraid, but we take and treasure what we can get. His new nurse is a young, very pretty lady whose name is Pim (pronounced “Peem.”) I hope she will stay. She is treating Harvey very well. He was comfortable today and not coughing at all, so that was a plus, as well.
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My painting is still hanging on the wall today after the guys came and figured out a different, hopefully more secure way to hang it. The place I want the painting to hang is brick-covered-by-concrete and is a major wall of the building, so hanging things there is more complex than the usual drive-a-nail-into-the-wall, or drill-a-hole-and-put-in-a-screw, or put an el-cheapo stickup thing on the wall, so I’m hopeful I won’t hear any more crashes in the middle of the night. This painting is the embodiment of what Thailand looks like on a typical small ‘soi’ or avenue off a main street. I love the black and white of the infrastructure and the vivid colors of the tuk-tuk and the colorful shops, flowers and people at the bottom, giving life to the painting. The place it’s hanging is like it was made for it. 😁
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I’m hoping to be able to spend time in my art alcove today. My paints are calling to me – “Linnnnnnnnn-daaaaaaaaah.” Can you hear them?
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I hope that you are enjoying your day or evening. (Trying to figure out the time and difference between where I am and where you are is hopelessly confusing to me. Daylight Savings Time coming up will only confuse this poor lady more… )
I can’t imagine my life without music. I sing, I play, I dance, I listen. EVERY. DAY.
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All 6 blooms have opened! Hooray!!!!!
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My two latest painted sketches
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I love the chat part of my phone. I just talked to a dear friend/relative-by-marriage, catching up after a bit. My heart is full. She is such a wonderful lady. The only thing missing was being able to hug her neck. I love you, Murray.
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My painting fell off the wall in the middle of the night a few nights ago. I got up and looked all around, but couldn’t find anything. The next morning I saw the painting had fallen, tearing the stick-on thingie and part of the wall paint with it. The painting is fine, thank goodness.
Brian and a friend are coming to see what we can do to hang it up more securely. Hopefully drill a small hole and put a screw in. We’ll see.
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I hope that your day is a good one, and that you’re not in the path of the snowy stuff today and tomorrow.
Yesterday afternoon was satisfying for me. We went to the cafe to get out of my housekeeper’s way while she cleaned. I always take my sketchbook, my Kindle, and my sweatshirt. I am always delighted when “my spot” at the front of the cafe is vacant because that means that I can watch the traffic going past.
Yesterday I saw two examples of how crazy the traffic in Chiang Mai is –
Shutterstock – similar to what I saw.
A man walked past with his bicycle. That doesn’t sound like much, except that his bicycle was his ‘store.’ He had a gazillion or so different kinds of brooms tied to his bicycle in all directions and could still ride it. He would stop if someone showed interest, sell them a broom, and go on his way…
Storypick – again similar
A motorcycle motored past with a man on the front, a woman on the back, and their three kids and a dog in the middle!
This all in the middle of two lanes in each direction of cars, buses, trucks, tuk-tuks, motorcycles, motor scooters, and then pedestrians on both sides of the street, and ones trying to cross the street. No street lights close by, no crosswalks – it’s simply fascinating to watch – not to mention all the different nationalities of people and all the different modes of dress…
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I only did two sketches yesterday, but I think they may be the best I have done since I started trying to teach myself to draw. I’ll show you when I get them painted, but I had a GREAT time with them.
Then I’m in the middle of the 62nd (I think) J.D. Robb/Nora Roberts “In Death” series book on my Kindle. I try not to allow myself to read very much because I get caught up and the whole afternoon is gone, or I read past my bedtime. I’ve already ordered the next one which is due out in September.
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The very best part of our afternoon was that my son came into the cafe (I thought he had gone to the bathroom) carrying a sack of flowers! This is the first time he has ever given me flowers and I almost lost it right in the middle of the cafe. These are wreath-type shapes of small white flowers on a ribbon with a ‘fish’ fashioned from palm type leaves handing under it, and then two more flowers hanging below that. A lot of the GRAB drivers have this type of thing hanging from their mirrors and they are just lovely. Brian got me SIX of these, two each of the different kind of flowers at the bottom. I have them hanging all around my place, and even my condo is grinning with happiness!
This little guy says he wants to watch over us and keep us safe. I think we should give him a try. What do you think?
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Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota
I am loose as a goose after my massage this morning! Ahhhhh and ahhhhhh again. I am SO relaxed I could easily just sprawl on my couch and doze off. We are leaving soon, though, to get out of Khun Nong’s way while she makes my place shine, so no sleep for me.
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Taipei Times
It’s 87 degrees F. right now and quite sunny. I had the windows open this morning but actually closed up and turned on the a/c this afternoon for the first time since “The Cool Season” started several months ago. It looks like I won’t need my hoodie, jean jacket, and sweatshirts for much soon…
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Kudos today to ML – a wonderful person, a dear friend, and my SIL! She helped Brian and me with a problem we could not solve here. THANKS, ML!
New haircut this morning – gone from ‘dandelion-gone-to-seed’ to ‘maybe-somebody-had-a-plan….’
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We are now getting into my first ‘hot and hazy season’ here in Chiang Mai. It’s warming up, and the sun is getting more and more intense, but the big difference is that the farmers in this country and the countries around us (primarily Laos and Myanmar) are all burning the crop residue from their fields, getting ready for the next planting, so the air really gets full of smoke.
I’ve been having my windows open every day, so apparently I am not one of the super sensitive people, but I will keep an eye on things. I have two good air purifiers in my place, so I should be in good shape. I can still open my windows early in the morning and then close up and turn on the air purifiers for the rest of the day.
Apparently this is a real time air index chart, so I’ve bookmarked the site and saved it on my computer so I can stay on top of things.
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Here is the sweet orchid my adoptive family gave me when I first moved in almost a year ago. From dropping all of its bloom and only having two leaves, It now has 4 big leaves and 4 blooms on it, with two buds left that might open. I’m thrilled that it has ‘come to life again.’
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My current puzzle remains a challenge. The main part of the puzzle is a gorgeous big turtle in the center. He will be the last to come together, though. I can only find some pieces that I know are pieces of him, but they don’t fit together. This may end up being a character-building exercise…
But I LOVE the colors!
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Newest painted sketch.
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Senior Exercises with Meredith
Today is exercises with water bottles for my arms and back. I will stop working at the computer now and do those and then come back and write another post.
This photography is so detailed it looks like a painting, doesn’t it?
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I’ve been lazy this morning.
We went to the gym, and then shared a breakfast burrito – chicken, avocado slices and salad wrapped up in a tortilla. YUM! My laundry is out drying on my balcony. Jets have been flying over this morning – not a usual occurrence – and they are quite loud, but it’s not enough to spoil my mood.
The weather is really nice here, so I’ve been messing around on the computer while enjoying a combination of open windows, nice breeze, sunshine, and a fan. I keep closing my eyes and smiling, just enjoying this wonderful time. AHHHHHHHH!
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Colorations – The Art of Learning
I want to do some painting today. Yesterday was way too busy to even THINK about that, so today I’ll enjoy trying to make up for lost time.
Pinterest
Yoga stretches are on tap for today. I have found myself making some excuses for not doing them, or my water bottle exercises in the mid afternoon on alternate days, so I’ll make a point of doing them earlier today.
This is John Butler. My son, Brian, showed me this website last night after dinner. He says it’s a really good source for learning how to meditate. I have been spending several minutes each day just sitting quietly, feet on the floor, eyes closed, thinking about something I’m thankful for. I would like to expand that, and this might be a good source –
I’m seeing that winter weather will raise its head again across much of the U.S. this weekend. I hope that you are able – if your weather is being cooperative now – to be able to get out for a bit and enjoy the reprieve…
We had the busy morning I talked about yesterday, got through it all, and lived to tell about it! HOOORAAAY! 😁
I walked my mile on the treadmill at the gym. I don’t know how to really ‘describe’ the differences I’m feeling – other than not having to hold onto the handle bars any more without falling on my head. The best way I can describe it is that I’m feeling my stomach muscles working for the first time in years and years. I feel looser in my ‘core,’ now and it feels GOOD to be walking – not having to concentrate so hard on not listing to the right or the left or having to ‘correct’ for balance issues so hard. 💪🏻
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Small Door Veterinary
I took a quick shower, dressed for the rest of the day, and we grabbed a GRAB (Uber type transformation) to go for my routine doctor’s appointment. I had dreaded it because the last time the lady took my blood for labs, it HURT and I ended up with a fairly impressive hematoma that lasted several days before just becoming a bruise and fading. This time she didn’t hurt me (Yea!) and I only have a small bruise.
The first time I went to this doctor was in May after we got my husband settled at the nursing home. We found my blood pressure to be sky high – they took my pressure several times, then got me meds to give me right there at the clinic so I wouldn’t stroke out. She suggested that I continue my efforts to lose the lard, be serious about taking the blood pressure medicine she prescribed, and exercise.
I am now taking half a blood pressure pill daily and it’s keeping me under good control. Since that first checkup, I have lost 35+ pounds (90 pounds in the past two years) and am doing yoga stretches and water bottle exercises on alternate days in addition to the daily treadmill, plus using the stairs here at the condo building when reasonable.
I should get the official results in the next couple of days. I’m hoping to get much improved numbers.
Something that made me the happiest – I am finally maturing as an adult (I know, you’re rolling your eyes and saying, “It’s about TIME!”) – but I figured out that I was wanting to see the doctor to have her give me kudos in my efforts to follow her advice. Now I don’t need that! I am happy inside MYSELF that I am trying to take better care of myself. I feel better than I have in a long time. I’m continuing to watch what I eat and my portions. I will continue trying to add to my regimen of moving my body more as I can tolerate it. 🙏🏻
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Harem – Wikipedia
After the doctor appointment, we went to visit my husband, Harvey, at the nursing home. His new nurse is very young and incredibly sweet. I don’t know her name yet, but Brian said he would write the nursing home and find out.
This was a very strange visit. Harvey was comfortable and in a good mood. He greeted us with the fact that he was going to be married again today. He couldn’t tell us the name of the woman he was going to marry. When I remarked that he had quite a harem now, he kind of smirked and said he couldn’t remember how many he had now or their names. He said he had 8 0r 9 children, but couldn’t remember their names, either. Brian described himself, and Harvey turned to look at him, but couldn’t come up with his name. When I told him I still wanted to be his #1 wife, he didn’t answer, so I might be being replaced….
I took him “Watercolor Dreams” by RG Ryan, one of the series of books I love now. He listened as I described the main character, a man my husband would identify with, and he looked interested. Hopefully, he’ll get into it later and get hooked, as I did.
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Chelsea’sMessyApron.com
We got back home around noon. My stomach had decided my throat had been cut. It had been since 5:30 yesterday since I had eaten. Brian had ordered half a chicken salad sandwich with avocado slices to be waiting for me when we got home – thereby saving my life. 🥪
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NBC News
I’m now up from a short nap, trying to get my act together for the rest of the day. I’ve retrieved part of my laundry from my drying rack on the balcony. I got my clothes from the laundry as we got home, so that is all under control now.
Our housekeeper is cleaning Brian’s condo this afternoon, so he will come to my place this evening, bringing dinner. We’ll back up my phone and computer data and then both of us will probably crash early.
A good day, all in all. I hope that you have had an enjoyable day or evening.
Tomorrow may be a really busy day for us – making my hair blow. First, the gym. Then, instead of breakfast, we’ll go to my routine doctor appointment with labwork, followed by a visit to see Harvey at the nursing home. I will pick up mylaundry. Brian goes to the cafe because Khun Nong will be cleaning his place and he will bring dinner to my place, and we’ll back up my computer and phone data while he’s here. I don’t know if we’ll have time to cram in some food before dinner or not…
So, I will make every effort to write to you, but can’t make any promises. Too much depends on timing 😳
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I wish you a quiet day – whether you’re finishing up Sunday evening or starting Monday morning. One step at a time.
This lucky lady enjoyed getting a massage this morning, and is smiling as she types, not hurting ANYWHERE. 🤗
I do have one, teeny, tiny gripe about the obtuseness of other people – a couple came in while Khun Weaw was working her magic on me. They were loud, totally unmindful that anyone else was there, or didn’t care. There were several times when there were things banging as accommodations were apparently being made for both of them to have adjoining pallets to have massages simultaneously. The lady who has subbed for Khun Weaw was handling one and the owner of the massage place was handling the other. They wouldn’t be in a position to tell customers to be quieter or mindful of the relaxation of others, but it’s my opinion that you shouldn’t have to be ‘told’ something as simple courtesy and paying attention. – End of gripe.
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Brian and I will go to the cafe soon to get out of the way while Khun Nong makes my place shine. I’m eager to do more sketching while I’m there. I’m also in the middle of one of my Jake Moriarity series books by R. G. Ryan, so I can dive into that. ✍🏼 📕 I’m hoping I get my window seat so that I can watch the insane traffic for a while. 🤣
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Shout out to Lisa Richey, a very talented, lovely lady who is experiencing increased health challenges right now. I’m trying to send warmth, relief, and love in her direction.
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Kudos to Team USA in the Milan Cortina Olympics! I’m having real trouble actually watching the competition since I live in Thailand – but I’m following the news as much as I can. At today’s reading, the USA has won 4 gold medals, 7 silver medals, and 3 bronze medals. HOORAY!
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Have a wonderful day. Don’t forget to include something FUN in your day – even if it’s just for a few minutes.
“Zooming out” allows you to see what’s going on in the world in a different light. That helps a lot.
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Thailand Hilltribe Holidays
SEASONS – it’s hard to believe we’re almost to the ‘hot’ season –
Hot
Mar – May
Rainy
Jun – Oct
Cool
Nov – Feb
It was 68 when we went to the gym this morning and it’ll soon be 92 this afternoon. It really doesn’t seem hot unless you’re out in the direct sunlight. The humidity is low.
I am enjoying a really nice breeze with a fan on in my place as I type. I will regret it when the “hazy” part of the hot season arrives, when the farmers are burning off the crop residue. I’m getting really spoiled with the “cool” season right now. 😁
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Begin Learning
I’m going to try to do some sketching this afternoon. I’ve painted the last of my sketches, so I will enjoy spending time in my art alcove, or propped up with my sketchbook on my legs on the couch.
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I just returned from getting cash for my massage and my housekeeper tomorrow. I stopped and got some stuff at the 7-11 before coming back to my place. I met two of the kind cleaning ladies while getting on the elevator. The one I know the best smiled from ear to ear and started talking a mile a minute. I couldn’t understand a word. I said, “sorry” (caw tote ka-ah) and said I didn’t understand. She said it twice more and I still was a blank. Finally, she mimicked ‘sleep,’ and I simply smiled and nodded. She did, too, so it didn’t matter what my actual plans were. She is SUCH a sweet lady. (I gave her a Christmas card and she is the one who showed up at my door later with a bamboo-filled sweet for Brian and me to share as a thank you.) I ask their names and they answer with words that are so long they boggle my mind. So far, I feel I “know” TWO of the three cleaning ladies I have seen…
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Javier Perez, Artist
I have changed the sheets on the bed, changed out the towels, gathered the trash, put out cash and her weekly thank you card, and am now pretty much ready for my housekeeper, Khun Nong, to come and make my place shine tomorrow.
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I want to write two more posts and then I’ll see what I can sketch. ✍🏼
I hope that you are having a very, very pleasant day.
I just got back from getting my “2nd-chance-at-life 1st birthday present – a mani/pedi –
I chose dark purple with sparkles in it. I hope you can see the sparkles in this photo. I’m not sure yet if I LIKE it – but I’m delighted to feel “festive” today.
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This is the sketch I painted yesterday. Today I’m working on painting the last sketch in my book. I started it yesterday, but need to put some finishing touches on it. Then I’ll need to get my pencil hot and do more sketches!
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This orchid is experiencing a rebirth of sorts, too! It was given to me as a Mother’s Day/condo-warming present last year by my adoptive family here. I have never received an orchid before, much less a PLANT. I was thrilled.
True to form though, my plant started losing its blooms, one after the other. I was following the directions for placement of the plant in the indirect sun, spritzing the leaves every other day, but I was really worried it would die. All the blooms left and I kept spritzing the two leaves that were left in the pot. A couple more leaves arrived after quite a while, so I kept up my regimen. About two weeks ago, a small shoot appeared! I got out the wire I had saved and re-inserted it into the pot carefully using the wire ties I had saved to attach the shoot to the wire as it grew. About a week ago, buds started to appear. Yesterday, the largest bud opened!!!!!! As you can see, there are 5 more buds that will hopefully open. HOOORRAAAAAAAY!
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I’m going to use the rest of the day to catch up on some things, finish my blog posts, and enjoy playing in my art alcove. I also might have time to work on my puzzle.
We’re just back from visiting my husband, Harvey, at the nursing home. I’m grateful that he was comfortable (except for a bit of a cough) and wasn’t in any pain or upset.
There is very little left of the man I married almost 57 years ago. He lives in his own world now. He can’t tell you how old he is, what country he’s in, why he’s in a nursing home, and has no interest in things he used to care about. He did recognize us, though, and that’s good. The rest of the visit was a complete bust.
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These are my latest painted sketches. I have one more in my sketchbook, and I’ll try to work on that today.
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Airswift
Khun Nong is coming to clean Brian’s place today, so he’ll bring dinner to my place this evening. We’ll also back up my phone data and my computer data while he’s here. That has become routine now, and I’m pleased I don’t even need my notes on how to do it now!💪🏻 😁 I love our visits after dinner and backups. He’s such an interesting man, with a quick mind, sharp sense of humor, and interesting world view.
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Anne Grady Group
Well, our big street event for which a large sign was posted – saying to be off the street from 5am to 9pm Feb. 8th and 9th turned out to be a non-event. Nothing happened that we could see. Brian thinks it had something to do with one of the university’s graduations, and we did see a few dressed up people, but all I could find on the computer was that the general elections were happening at the same time.
Today was Day 2 of going back to the gym after being sick for a week with a cold. Yesterday I added yoga stretches and the stairs. Today is arm exercises with water bottles and the stairs I’m officially back!!!!
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We will visit Harvey again this week. The usual “every-3-day” visit would be this Friday; but Friday is our busiest day, so we usually go a day earlier or later so we can have a good visit and ease the Friday schedule. Whether we end up going Thursday, Friday or Saturday, I will take the Valentine’s picture I made for him –
“I found this picture and it spoke of joy. It made me wonder why people forget the importance of living. Maybe we get busy surviving and miss the simple truth—that life is not meant to be endured alone, but noticed, felt, and quietly appreciated.” –
John Rinaldo– “The Positive Pen” – Substack
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It is a glorious day today here in Chiang Mai. It’s 81 degrees, F. The sun is shining. My windows are open to a wonderful breeze.
DepositPhotos
I went to the gym this morning for the first time in a week! I walked a mile on the treadmill and still felt good. No sneezing, blowing my nose, almost passing out, or any other drama. HOORAY!!!!!
I plan to do yoga stretches later and I used the stairs in my building this morning!
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I’ve started painting a sketch I did Friday, and hope to do several today. Brian and I aren’t going out any more today since there was a sign posted for all vehicles to keep the street clear yesterday and today. I do hope that something happens today on the street; otherwise, people may ignore a sign to stay off the road next time.
We just had a tremendously loud BANG here. I texted Brian and he said it was “probably a transformer explosion.” Apparently, this is quite common, though I have to admit, it will take some getting used to… 💥 I did have to restart my computer before I could continue here, but Brian seemed unconcerned, saying “there might be other weird electrical problems for a bit.”
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In my efforts to lose my lard, my son Brian and I agreed that we would eat twice a day, breakfast and dinner, and have something like an iced mocha in the afternoons, or chocolate drink after we visit my husband, Harvey. Most of the time I do quite well with this, and am now within 4 lbs of my goal. Other times, though, my stomach insists my throat has been cut, demanding food. I usually drink a glass of water, but decided that if I had a bite of beef jerky, that would tide me over on those challenging days. Part of Brian’s text about the explosion included, “Jerky at your door.” I now have a package of “Natural Smoked Pork Jerky!” I will try to only eat a bite when my stomach is really growling after a glass of water. YUM!
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I’m trying to figure out a way to repost an article on cats that made me laugh out loud. It’s being recalcitrant so far, but hopefully I can share it with you.
Have a joy-filled “noticed, felt, and appreciated” day.
Isn’t this lovely? So calming. It almost makes me like winter…
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Something is due to happen on our street today and tomorrow. A sign was posted, asking people to stay off the road, but not what was happening. Brian thinks it might have to something to do with graduation at one of the universities – a parade of the graduates and their parents? Anyway, I check out my windows from time to time. It’s a lot quieter than normal with only more “necessary” traffic.
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Pinterest
I slept in again today – my final day of healing from my sore throat and cold. I really feel fine, though I’m still bringing up a small bit of stuff. I will start back to the gym in the morning. I’ve been a true sloth this week.
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I’ll enjoy writing my posts to you and I also plan to paint a sketch or two. I have one I finished yesterday to show you –
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Facebook – our eggs were on the bottom with the chicken and sausage arrranged in a circular fashion on top.
Brian and I usually eat what I call a “Breakfast Burrito” for breakfast – scrambled eggs, bacon, and a lot of salad rolled up into a tortilla. Delicious! This morning we had 2 fried eggs with chicken slivers and sausage slices fried into them, plus a side of some watermelon. YUM!
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I’ll let you know tomorrow if we get a parade, party, or whatever in the street. Take care and make the most of your time. Fine a reason to smile!
Brian and I went to visit my husband, Harvey, at the nursing home this morning. It was a better visit than many times. He told us that he was glad to see us, and later, when I told him I loved him, he looked at me and said, “I love you, too.” May not sound like much, but it meant the WORLD to me.
It was a mixed bag, though. He can’t comprehend his changed physical condition. He is completely bedridden and it takes three nurses to get him out of the bed and into a wheelchair. He was asking today about the shower in my place, acting as though he would be able to use it. He also wanted to come home. He said he was comfortable, though.
He asked for some highlighters in two colors to mark sentences in the book he’s finally trying to read. He doesn’t realize that there is no way he’ll be able to mark a sentence. His hands shake really badly and he’ll mark up the entire page trying to highlight a sentence. We got the highlighters when we got back and will take them to him when we go back Tuesday. He does seem to be using the bookmark I took him last time.
I told him about the Jake Moriarity Series I’m reading by R. G. Ryan and he wants to read the first book in the series. He isn’t able to work a Kindle anymore, so we will see what we can do about ordering a paperback copy of “Watercolor Dreams” on Amazon, even though the shipping will cost twice as much as the book and we’re not sure how long it will take to arrive. We’re grabbing at straws to find things that interest him and getting whatever we can. The other thing we’re looking into is magazines featuring guns and/or motorcycles…
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Made for Mums
Now that I’m home and free the rest of the afternoon, I’m going to try to do some painting of my sketches. I did several from yesterday and a couple more waiting from before that, so I’m looking forward to diving into that
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HouseDigest.com
I have the windows open and the breezes are blowing all over the place. I just love it. Technically it’s 87 degrees F. outside, but it feels wonderful, particularly since I’ve spent the last month or so cold most of the time. I just walk around smiling. Brian says it won’t be long until I’m griping because the heat will become oppressive and there will be a haze orginating from the farmers burning off crop residue, so I won’t be able to open my windows, but I’m enjoying every day and hoping what he’s forecasting will be delayed somehow.
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Trademark Lawyer Magazine
I’m going to try to catch as much of the Olympic games as I can starting today. I LOVE watching the incredible athletes competing. It’s exciting that the world came come together for this, concentrating on sports, hopefully not anything else, and celebrate the dedication and long hours these people have put in to try to compete here. Celebrating excellence!
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Happiful Magazine
I hope that your weather is such that you can get outside some and enjoy some sunshine and fresh air. Breathe in – breathe out – AHHHHHHHH!
“Pancho-The Pine Marten”–Remy Michaels – @remyscameraeye.bsky.social
I can’t say enough about Remy Michaels’ talent in photography. He gets me every time with photos that are unusual and beautiful. You can find him on BlueSky.social
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Vecteezy
I’m at about 90% this morning. I feel even better since I just came back to my place from a massage (ahhhhh!) and another of Brian’s doses of Vitamin C. My plan is to get back to the gym starting Monday morning.
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This afternoon Brian and I will go to the cafe to get out of Khun Nong’s -my housekeeper’s – way while she cleans my place. As usual, I’ll take my sketchbook and supplies, Kindle, plus sweatshirt with me. I now have some ear buds to use with my phone to listen to music on YouTube, but it’s a little much to try to use those with my hearing aids in. (One of the many perks of getting old. 😁) If I can snag the table at the front window, I’ll enjoy goggling at the insane traffic…
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I took some thank you cards to my massage therapist (Khun Weaw) and the lady who also works there who substituted for my therapist once (Khun Sulee.) I remembered how to say ‘thank you’ in Thai (sounds like, “cawp coon ka’ah!” plus bow and do the ‘wei’🙏🏻 while the cards were in both of my outstretched hands together to show they were for each of them. 🙂 I can’t WRITE ‘thank you’ in Thai, so just hope they have a translator on their phones. From their faces, I think I got it across how thankful I am for them.
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These are my two latest paintings.
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It’s a beautiful day here in Chiang Mai. It was 63 this morning and is supposed to get to 89 this afternoon. (The only reason I’m taking my sweatshirt to the cafe is that they tend to keep the temperature like a freezer for some reason, and both Brian and I tend to freeze after being there a while 🥶)
I’m better, but still ‘blowin’ and goin” as my mom used to say. I think I’ll be good in another couple of days. I have been drinking large doses of Vitamin C in orange juice since I woke up with the sore throat a couple of days ago. I have to say that it seems to have stopped the sore throat in its tracks, and lessened the severity of my cold.
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Since I was home, instead of at the gym this morning, I captured a picture of the dawn here to share.
These are my latest painted sketches.
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Today I’m doing my ‘chores’ to get ready for my housekeeper, Khun Nong, to come clean my place tomorrow – changing the sheets on my bed, changing out the towels, gathering the trash.
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We met my husband, Harvey’s, new nurse in the nursing home yesterday. Her name is pronounced, ‘la moon, la my’ and she has a very kind face and nice manner. She and Brian will be in good contact via phone, and that brings us peace of mind. Yesterday’s visit was challenging. Harvey just wanted to watch TV (the news in Thai – when he doesn’t understand a thing going on. ) He wanted to talk about investments, plus was talking about building our new ‘estate with a pool, with banana trees in the front yard and lots of dogs.’ We will go and visit again Saturday.
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I hope you’re doing well, staying safe and warm, and hopefully grinning from ear to ear sometime today.
I don’t look this good today. With the two big doses of Vitamin C my son mixed up for me in orange juice yesterday, my sore throat is relieved, but I seem to have degenerated now into an old fashioned common cold. UGH.
Brian and I went to visit my husband, Harvey, at the nursing home this morning, and I was very careful not to touch him, hoping I wouldn’t give this to him. When we got home, Brian mixed me up another dose of Vitamin C and I took a long nap. I hate being sick…
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These are the latest painted sketches. Painting today is helping distract me from how yucky I feel 😁
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I signed up for Substack about a month ago. I am really enjoying looking at the articles on there and meeting new, interesting people.
Sheila Murrey – @sheilaspiralsister is my friend, and she writes articles for Substack. She is a multi-talented lady I am proud to know and I’m happy to recommend that you look for her there. She just included a chapter from a book she’s writing that discusses sounds and frequencies and how they affect us.
R. G. Ryan – @rgryan is an author I met through reading his Jake Moriarity books via X, and then he decided to start writing serious opinion articles on Substack. I followed him there and was happy I did. Now he has changed his focus from opinion pieces to ones such as, A Lot to Carry Pain Is Not Passive, where he is focusing on what we as ordinary people are carrying around on our shoulders that is affecting our ability to live life to the fullest and to interact with others.
AND there are several people who post pictures and videos that make me laugh or bring me to tears, or both. Very talented artists and photographers post there, as well. I find this platform well worth my time. I thoroughly recommend it. Substack.com
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I hope that Mother Nature has decided to give you a break now, and will let the ice and snow melt, raise the temperatures, and allow you to enjoy your days more.
“Sloths” – Justin Mott – “Kindred Guardians” on Substack
AWWWWWWW!
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Sorry I didn’t post yesterday. I’ve been sick, first with one thing and now a sore throat. UGH. I just went up to Brian’s to drink orange juice with extra Vitamin C to ward off whatever I’m trying to get. I’ll drink one more dose tonight and then hope for the best, with a nap in-between…
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I feel I have a lot in common with the sloths above yesterday and today.
Yesterday I had fun drawing and painting “thank you” cards.
Friday I will give these two to my massage therapist and the other lady who works in the shop, and even substituted for my therapist one time when she had to be out of town. I just want to make sure that they know how much I appreciate them.
I give my housekeeper, Khun Nong, a thank you card each week for the wonderful job she does in cleaning my place. She is amazing. She even washes and dries my bar of soap! I come back and it’s the only time that everything is perfectly aligned all the way through my place. All is scrubbed within an inch of its life. Priceless. AND she leaves me flowers….
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Today we visited my husband, Harvey, at the nursing home. We had a difficult time getting transportation today and our trip took much longer than the 40 minutes each way we usually spend. Brian researched it later and thinks it might be because of the nationwide election that is going on.
It was a sad visit today. Harvey wasn’t feeling well, and was almost unresponsive. He did know we were there, but hopefully it will be better when we visit again Wednesday.
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It’s after 4pm in the afternoon here and I’m just now writing blog posts. The day has gotten away from me. I hope that you have a wonderful first day of February.
It’s a beautiful morning here in Chiang Mai. The sun is shining and it’s 71 degrees F. I have just thrown the windows open and am feeling kind of lazy like this sweet fox. 😀
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Otaki Mail
Since this is the last day of January here, it’s time for accountability on my efforts to lose my lard. To date I have lost 88 lbs and 81 inches. I’m 5’4″ and weigh 116 now. I want to lose 6 pounds and then hopefully go to maintenance on eating and concentrate on my exercising more.
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I did a lot of sketches at the cafe yesterday while we were waiting for Khun Nong to clean my place. I plan to do a lot of painting in my alcove today.
Besides my clean place, Khun Nong left this gorgeous display of flowers! I think I have the best housekeeper on the planet.
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As I type, the sweet birds are singing. I’m not quite sure why hearing the birds makes me so happy, but I can feel it as it starts in my stomach and just fills me up. 😊
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Make this a happy day. Take some time out of your busy day and do something fun – something that brings a smile to your face and joy to your heart.
creativeartworksblog 
Monday, 2-9-2026
“I found this picture and it spoke of joy. It made me wonder why people forget the importance of living. Maybe we get busy surviving and miss the simple truth—that life is not meant to be endured alone, but noticed, felt, and quietly appreciated.” –
John Rinaldo– “The Positive Pen” – Substack
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It is a glorious day today here in Chiang Mai. It’s 81 degrees, F. The sun is shining. My windows are open to a wonderful breeze.
DepositPhotos
I went to the gym this morning for the first time in a week! I walked a mile on the treadmill and still felt good. No sneezing, blowing my nose, almost passing out, or any other drama. HOORAY!!!!!
I plan to do yoga stretches later and I used the stairs in my building this morning!
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I’ve started painting a sketch I did Friday, and hope to do several today. Brian and I aren’t going out any more today since there was a sign posted for all vehicles to keep the street clear yesterday and today. I do hope that something happens today on the street; otherwise, people may ignore a sign to stay off the road next time.
We just had a tremendously loud BANG here. I texted Brian and he said it was “probably a transformer explosion.” Apparently, this is quite common, though I have to admit, it will take some getting used to… 💥 I did have to restart my computer before I could continue here, but Brian seemed unconcerned, saying “there might be other weird electrical problems for a bit.”
_________________
In my efforts to lose my lard, my son Brian and I agreed that we would eat twice a day, breakfast and dinner, and have something like an iced mocha in the afternoons, or chocolate drink after we visit my husband, Harvey. Most of the time I do quite well with this, and am now within 4 lbs of my goal. Other times, though, my stomach insists my throat has been cut, demanding food. I usually drink a glass of water, but decided that if I had a bite of beef jerky, that would tide me over on those challenging days. Part of Brian’s text about the explosion included, “Jerky at your door.” I now have a package of “Natural Smoked Pork Jerky!” I will try to only eat a bite when my stomach is really growling after a glass of water. YUM!
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I’m trying to figure out a way to repost an article on cats that made me laugh out loud. It’s being recalcitrant so far, but hopefully I can share it with you.
Have a joy-filled “noticed, felt, and appreciated” day.
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Tagged as beautiful weather, Daddy & Sons Pork Jerky, first day back at the gym - yoga stretches - stairs, John Rinaldo - The Positive Pen - Substack - repost of Joy comments and photo, Monday Thoughts 2-9-2026, mysterious road closing, painting sketches, transformer explosion?